Five Must-Try Brews at Big Dog’s Summerfest Beer & Reggae Festival

(07/16/2013) Nick Tribulato

Five Must-Try Brews at Big Dog’s Summerfest Beer & Reggae Festival

Summer is flying by, and our annual ode to Reggae, BBQ, & Brews is already upon us! Those unfamiliar with our quarterly festivals can expect a bustling, family-friendly environment both inside and outdoors of the Big Dog’s Draft House location, with a professional stage to host the tunes and a monstrous, tented beer pavilion with over 50 draft beers!

In addition to many of the solid staples folks may find around town year-round, we’ve of course added several MUST TRY BEERS while you’re at the festival!

Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof: Berliner Style Weiss

Berliner Weiss - 3% ABV- Leipzig, Germany

I know you’re thinking, 3% ABV- really?! , but the oft-unseen style of Berliner Weiss is the epitome of all that is refreshing! This take from the G&G crew is a bit less mouth-puckery-sour and acidic than the typical Berliner Weiss, and instead provides an emphasized lemon-zestiness that will provide refreshment needed during Summerfest. Check this oddball style off your beer bucket-list, and be sure to snag a #16 to cleanse the palate between higher-octane brews.

Stone Brewing Co.: Enjoy By 8-2 IPA

Imperial IPA – 9.4% ABV – Escondido, CA

One cannot claim to be a hophead without appreciating the beauty behind this brew’s concept; as it’s “specifically brewed not to last”! Kegged on June 28 and reeking of freshly peeled grapefruit and orange zest, Enjoy By 8-2 delivers all the resiny-pine, floral and citrusy flavors one wants in a big hop bomb, with minimal alcohol intrusion. Uber-limited within the Las Vegas market, so if you haven’t tried it yet, step up and enjoy a #37.

Nevada Craft Brewer’s Association: Pyrite Pale Ale

American Pale Ale – 6.6% ABV – Las Vegas, NV

As the first collaboration beer among the members of the Nevada Craft Brewer’s Association, this puppy is simply special. This saucy extra pale ale rings in at 6.6%, and was brewed at Joseph James Brewing Co. under the careful eyes of their brewers, as well as those from Chicago Brewing Co., Tenaya Creek, 777 Brewpub, Pints of Laughlin, and of course Big Dog’s. All breweries contributed time toward the recipe and brewday, as well as chipped in on the different ingredients, such as loads of Centennial and Simcoe hops! We are down to a final keg and this one is extra special as the Pyrite has been given an extra kick by being dry hopped with Mosaic and Citra hops. Expect to experience flavors of tropical fruit, melon, blueberries and great dankness. This one-of-a-kind gem, never to be brewed again, also benefits the association each time you order it- so have a round of #6’s for a great cause!

As part of the Lips of Faith specialty line offered by New Belgium Brewing Co., this doozy is already tricky to get a hold of. Factor in the Peach Brandy Barrel Aging, and we have ourselves the ONE & ONLY KEG to hit Nevada. We’d love to provide some tasting notes, but you’ll just have to step up alongside the Big Dog’s staff and taste it for the first time as well! “Taste the rarity”, by ordering #29.

Big Dog’s Brewing Co.: Cherry Wit

Witbier – 5% ABV – Las Vegas, NV

It isn’t Big Dog’s fest without it also marking the debut of a Brewmaster Dave Otto-crafted seasonal brew, This year, we welcome an all-new batch of Big Dog’s Cherry Wit. Brewed with Raw Wheat, Lemon Zest, Coriander, as well as with both sweet and tart cherry puree- nothing can please a crowd under the summertime stars like this classic. To sweeten the pot, so to speak, the proceeds from the tokens used for this beer will benefit the Patrick Kelley Youth Foundation, a phenomenal local non-profit doing solid work for underprivileged Las Vegas youth. Cherry Wit is only available for the next few months, so be sure to look for it around town at your go-to craft beer spots. Until then- try this year’s batch by selecting #5.